Kia Optima: Automatic transaxle

The highly efficient automatic transaxle has 5 forward speeds and one reverse
speed. The individual speeds are selected automatically, depending on the position
of the shift lever.

All normal forward driving is done with the shift lever in the D (Drive) position.

To move the shift lever from the P (Park) position, the brake pedal must be depressed
with the ignition switch ON.

NOTICE:

The first few shifts on a new vehicle, if the battery has been disconnected,
may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal condition, and the shifting sequence will
adjust after shifts are cycled a few times by the TCM (Transaxle Control Module)
or PCM (Powertrain Control Module).

For smooth operation, depress the brake pedal when shifting from N (Neutral)
to a forward or reverse gear.

WARNING: - Automatic transaxle.

• Always check the surrounding areas near your vehicle for people, especially
children, before putting a car into D (Drive) or R (Reverse).

• Before leaving the driver’s seat, always make sure the shift lever is in the
P (Park) position; then set the parking brake fully and shut the engine off. Unexpected
and sudden vehicle movement can occur if these precautions are not followed in the
order identified.

CAUTION:

• To avoid damage to your transaxle, do not accelerate the engine in R (Reverse)
or any forward gear position with the brakes on.

• When stopped on an upgrade, do not hold the vehicle stationary with engine
power. Use the service brake or the parking brake.

• Do not shift from N (Neutral) or P (Park) into D (Drive), or R (Reverse) when
the engine is above idle speed.

Transaxle ranges

The indicator lights in the instrument cluster displays the shift lever position
when the ignition switch is in the ON position.

P (Park)

Always come to a complete stop before shifting into P (Park). This position locks
the transaxle and prevents the front wheels from rotating.

WARNING:

• Shifting into P (Park) while the vehicle is in motion will cause the drive
wheels to lock which will cause you to lose control of the vehicle.

• Do not use the P (Park) position in place of the parking brake.

Always make sure the shift lever is latched in the P (Park) position and set
the parking brake fully.

• Before leaving the driver’s seat, always make sure the shift lever is in the
P (Park) position. Set the parking brake fully, shut the engine off and take the
key with you. Unexpected and sudden vehicle movement can occur if you do not follow
these precautions in the order specified.

• Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle.

CAUTION:

The transaxle may be damaged if you shift into P (Park) while the vehicle is
in motion.

R (Reverse)

Use this position to drive the vehicle backward.

CAUTION:

Always come to a complete stop before shifting into or out of R (Reverse); you
may damage the transaxle if you shift into R while the vehicle is in motion, except
as explained in “Rocking the Vehicle”, in this manual.

N (Neutral)

The wheels and transaxle are not locked.

The vehicle will roll freely even on the slightest incline unless the parking
brake or service brakes are applied.

D (Drive)

This is the normal forward driving position.

The transaxle will automatically shift through a 5-gear sequence, providing the
best fuel economy and power.

Bring the car to a complete stop before shifting the selector to “D” position.

For extra power when passing another vehicle or climbing grades, depress the
accelerator fully, at which time the transaxle will automatically downshift to the
next lower gear.

Sports mode

Whether the vehicle is stationary or in motion, sports mode is selected by pushing
the shift lever from the D (Drive) position into the manual gate. To return to D
(Drive) range operation, push the shift lever back into the main gate.

In sport mode, it is possible to shift the gear by using either the shift lever
or the steering wheel shift paddles (dynamic shift).

Using the shift lever

Up (+) : Push the lever forward once to shift up one gear (1).

Down (-) : Pull the lever backwards once to shift down one gear (2).

Using the steering wheel shift paddles

Up (+) : Pull the right-hand shift paddle once to shift up one gear (3).

Down (-) : Pull the left-hand shift paddle once to shift down one gear (4).

NOTICE:

When the shift lever is in the P, N or R position, you can't shift the gear by
using the steering wheel shift paddles.

In sports mode, if you pull the left and right hand shift paddles at the same
time, you can't shift the gear.

NOTICE:

• In sports mode, the driver must execute upshifts in accordance with road conditions,
taking care to keep the engine speed below the red zone.

• In sports mode, only the 5 forward gears can be selected. To reverse or park
the vehicle, move the shift lever to the R (Reverse) or P (Park) position as required.

• In sports mode, downshifts are made automatically when the vehicle slows down.
When the vehicle stops, 1st gear is automatically selected.

• In sports mode, when the engine rpm approaches the red zone shift points are
varied to upshift automatically.

• To maintain the required levels of vehicle performance and safety, the system
may not execute certain gearshifts when the shift lever is operated.

• When driving on a slippery road, push the shift lever forward into the +(up)
position or pull the right-hand shift paddle. This causes the transmission to shift
into the 2nd gear which is better for smooth driving on a slippery road. Push the
shift lever to the - (down) side or pull the left-hand shift paddle to shift back
to the 1st gear.

• By rapidly moving the shift lever backwards (-) twice it is possible to skip
one gear, i.e., 3rd to 1st, 4th to 2nd or 5th to 3rd. Since sudden engine braking
and/or rapid acceleration can cause a loss of traction, however, downshifts must
be made carefully in accordance with the vehicle's speed.

Shift lock system (if equipped)

For your safety, the automatic transaxle has a shift lock system which prevents
shifting the transaxle out of P (Park) unless the brake pedal is depressed.

To shift the transaxle out of P (Park):

1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.

2. Start the engine or turn the ignition switch to the ON position.

3. Move the shift lever.

If the brake pedal is repeatedly depressed and released with the shift lever
in the P (Park) position, a chattering noise near the shift lever may be heard.

This is a normal condition.

WARNING:

Always fully depress the brake pedal before and while shifting out of the P (Park)
position into another position to avoid inadvertent motion of the vehicle which
could injure persons in or around the car.

Shift-lock override

If the shift lever cannot be moved from the P (Park) position with the brake
pedal depressed, continue depressing the brake, then do the following:

The ignition key cannot be removed unless the shift lever is in the P (Park)
position. If the ignition switch is in any other position, the key cannot be removed.

Good driving practices

• Never move the gear selector lever from P (Park) or N (Neutral) to any other
position with the accelerator pedal depressed.

• Never move the gear selector lever into P (Park) when the vehicle is in motion.

• Be sure the car is completely stopped before you attempt to shift into R (Reverse)
or D (Drive).

• Never take the car out of gear and coast down a hill. This may be extremely
hazardous. Always leave the car in gear when moving.

• Do not "ride" the brakes. This can cause them to overheat and malfunction.

Instead, when you are driving down a long hill, slow down and shift to a lower
gear. When you do this, engine braking will help slow the car.

• Slow down before shifting to a lower gear. Otherwise, the lower gear may not
be engaged.

• Always use the parking brake. Do not depend on placing the transaxle in P (Park)
to keep the car from moving.

• Exercise extreme caution when driving on a slippery surface. Be especially
careful when braking, accelerating or shifting gears. On a slippery surface, an
abrupt change in vehicle speed can cause the drive wheels to lose traction and the
vehicle to go out of control.

• Optimum vehicle performance and economy is obtained by smoothly depressing
and releasing the accelerator pedal.

WARNING:

• Always buckle-up! In a collision, an unbelted occupant is significantly more
likely to be seriously injured or killed than a properly belted occupant.

• Avoid high speeds when cornering or turning.

• Do not make quick steering wheel movements, such as sharp lane changes or fast,
sharp turns.

• The risk of rollover is greatly increased if you lose control of your vehicle
at highway speeds.

• Loss of control often occurs if two or more wheels drop off the roadway and
the driver oversteers to reenter the roadway.

• In the event your vehicle leaves the roadway, do not steer sharply.

Instead, slow down before pulling back into the travel lanes.

• Never exceed posted speed limits.

WARNING:

If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc., then you may attempt
to rock the vehicle free by moving it forward and backward.

Do not attempt this procedure if people or objects are anywhere near the vehicle.
During the rocking operation the vehicle may suddenly move forward of backward as
it becomes unstuck, causing injury or damage to nearby people or objects.

Moving up a steep grade from a standing start

To move up a steep grade from a standing start, depress the brake pedal, shift
the shift lever to D (Drive). Select the appropriate gear depending on load weight
and steepness of the grade, and release the parking brake. Depress the accelerator
gradually while releasing the service brakes.

When accelerating from a stop on a steep hill, the vehicle may have a tendency
to roll backwards. Shifting the shift lever into 2 (Second Gear) will help prevent
the vehicle from rolling backwards.

Power brakes
Your vehicle has power-assisted brakes that adjust automatically through normal
usage.
In the event that the power-assisted brakes lose power because of a stalled engine
or some oth ...

See also:

Maximum trailer loads
Never allow the total trailer load to exceed the
value specified in the “Towing
Load/Specification” chart found later in this section.
The total trailer load equals trailer weight
plus its cargo w ...

BRAKE FLUID LOW
This message is displayed when the
brake fluid level is low. See Brake
Fluid. ...

Overview of transmission positions
The DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right of the
steering column.
P Park position with parking lock
R Reverse gear
N Neutral
D Drive
The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns
to its ori ...